NEXT week is Red Cross Week and the Wiltshire branch of the charity, based at the former site of St James Hospital in Devizes, will be organising events across the county.

There will be street collections and Red Days at schools throughout Wiltshire when pupils and staff will raise sponsorship by wearing red clothing.

The Wiltshire Red Cross offers a wide range of services to the community, including the loan of medical equipment like wheelchairs and crutches, a home-from-hospital service in Swindon, therapeutic care and travelling escorts.

Wheelchair user Shelly Andrews was so impressed with the work of the Red Cross that she joined the Wiltshire branch.

She said: "Every time there is a disaster the Red Cross is there helping people. They are brilliant.

"Just over a year ago I saw that they were having an open day in the town and I was amazed to find they did local work."

When she joined the Red Cross, the office had just had a chairlift fitted, so she could reach the first floor office.

"Being disabled means you do an awful lot of taking and now I can put something back into society," she said.

For details, contact (01380) 730131.